Music at MLC

Because Martin Luther College is the WELS College of Ministry, part of our mission  is to prepare future choir directors, band directors, classroom music teachers, organists, and parish music coordinators. To accomplish this, we offer coursework and performance opportunities to inspire our students and nurture their gifts. 

Music Degrees Offered

• Elementary Education with music emphasis (four-year program)
• Secondary Education—Music Major (Choral/Vocal or Instrumental; five-year, double-major program; soon to be a four-year program)
• Parish Music & Elementary Ed. Majors (five-year, double-major program)

• Parish Music & Staff Ministry Majors (five-year, double-major program)

  “I was very impressed with the professors here. Their goal is not simply to improve your musical abilities but to prepare you for serving your fellow believers. We don’t see ourselves as performers but as worship leaders.”
  Carrie Ewings
  MLC 2007
  Assigned to St. Paul, Stevensville MI

Sample Music Courses

• Lutheran Worship
• Teaching Music
• Music Technology
• Instrumental Rehearsal Techniques

Choirs & Vocal Music

Vocal training is available to all students. In addition, about one quarter of our students sing in one of our four choirs.

College Chorale, Men’s Choir, and Women’s Choir:

• Open to all students by audition
• Participate in concerts, worship services, and the annual MLC Hymn Festival

College Choir:

• Open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors by audition
• Participates in concerts and worship services

• Will tour Mexico in 2008

“It is a joy to see our students, future servants in our congregations, visiting with people, sharing their faith, and representing MLC in such a positive way.”
Dr. Kermit Moldenhauer
Director of MLC College Choir
(2007 West Coast tour)

Instrumental Music

Our bands and instrumental ensembles are open to all students: Wind Symphony, Pep Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Brass Choir, to name a few. The Handbell Choir plays in chapel, in concerts, and at the WELS Handbell Festival.

Keyboard Performance

About three quarters of our students study piano and/or organ to prepare for service to their future congregations and schools.

“It may surprise people to know that MLC has more organ students than any other college, university, or conservatory in the United States.”
Dr. Wayne Wagner
Chairman, Organ Department

Facilities

Our chapel/auditorium seats 800+ and contains a 42-rank pipe organ. Two music buildings house a choir room, band room, six piano-teaching studios, 17 pipe organs, 15 piano practice rooms, and two computerized piano laboratories.

Annual Music Events

Wind Symphony

• Fall and spring concerts
• Semi-annual tour

Choirs

• Chapel services
• Congregational worship services
  Chapel services
• Hymn Festival
  Chapel services
• College Choir tour

All Vocal & Instrumental Groups

• Christmas Concert
• Commencement Concert